Building work begins on new secondary school in Glossopdale

Ed Dingwall

Construction work has started on a new secondary school in Glossop following a £21.7million investment from Derbyshire County Council.

Nottingham firmHenry Brothers is building the school for Glossopdale Community College, with the project scheduled for completion in two phases over the next two years.

Following a public consultation it was agreed last year to go ahead with proposals to merge the school’s three separate sites onto Newshaw Lane, Hadfield.

County Councillor Damien Greenhalgh said: “We’re delighted that work has started on this fantastic new single-site school.

“Despite facing unprecedented cuts and huge financial pressures we’re working hard to provide our young people with the facilities they need to help them thrive and learn in a positive environment and we’ll continue to do what we can within a tight budget to invest in our communities to make our schools fit for the 21st century.”

The county council consulted on plans for a new school after revealing many parts of existing buildings were in poor condition with estimated repair bills totalling more than £5m.

Additional funds for the project will be raised through the sale of the college’s two sites on Talbot Road.

College principal Steve Playford said: “The Glossopdale community is really excited that the construction has started.

“The new school will dramatically improve the learning experience with the latest technologies, a specially designed sixth form centre, performance wing and leisure centre with astroturf pitch.”